Christmas is getting close and menu options are swirling through my mind. The only thing I know for certain is that we are having Crown Roast of Pork. How do I know that? Easy answer...because I already ordered it through the butcher and I am scheduled to pick it up at 6:00am 12/24. What I need to do now is figure out what I will make to go with it. DON'T even mention what I will have to do if the butcher doesn't come through with my protein order!
Actually, I've been letting ideas brew since I placed the order and I have an outline. I am thinking around the lines of fresh green beans, cauliflower, potatoes, applesauce, bread. It's not going to be volumes of food like Thanksgiving but some well put-together components.
I'm looking for inspiration for fresh green beans. Do I add the slivered almonds or find another way to dress them? Do I use my own cheese sauce with the cauliflower or do I roast or au gratin them instead? What about potatoes? Do I go with sliced red, fingerlings, or do I need a smooth texture on the plate? No question on the applesauce since that will need to be made fresh and possibly not broken down. I am thinking peeled, sliced, sautéed in brown sugar until caramelized with a dash of cinnamon. Leave it a little chunky. I love the sweet with the pork. And the bread has to be home-made so fresh yeast will be used and it will rise to a wonderful fluffiness.
The meal would need to start with appetizers and I am thinking classic boiled shrimp with horseradish sauce. I would like to make some crab cakes and try to make some breaded artichoke hearts with aioli. I am thinking I need something more but I am struggling to edit. I want each item to taste fantastic and not get caught up in a rush to fix plenty.
That leaves dessert. I'm still thinking about it. No decision has been made there yet and I know there are multitudes of cookies already prepared but this meal needs a good finish. I will see what I can come up with. I still have a day left.
TT
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